What’s the State of the Mendip Hills AONB?

We’ve brought together a wide variety of information on the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to see how it is compared to 2009, the last time a similar report was done.

In the report you’ll find information, maps, charts and tables from different sources on the condition of the Scheduled Monuments, nature reserves (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and even the areas receiving different types of farm payments and much more.

Some of the interesting headlines the report reveals are that the Sites of Special Scientific Interest have stayed roughly in the same condition despite the national picture showing a decline in the condition of habitats. Of the 28 parishes covered by the AONB 23 have seen a population increase. Even the ‘tranquility’ of the area has even been mapped thanks to CPRE.

Jim Hardcastle, Mendip Hills AONB Manager, said, “This is a really important report that shows how this beautiful landscape is coping with modern life, it’s also a great snapshot for researchers of the future to use. We’ve produced the report as we’re starting to review the Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan that will last for the next five years. The report will help the consultation process and the subsequent policies in it.”